Kora Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash

Kora Pilgrimage Travelers to Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash Travelers

During the Saga Dawa Festival (May 17 to June 15) and through the warm season in the Trans-Himalaya range, thousands of visitors are expected to travel to Mount Kailash in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China. Many travelers to Mount Kailash enter China via Nepal or India and it is important to understand the risks and travel requirements for all countries and areas you will visit.

Health and Safety Considerations

Mount Kailash is at a very high altitude. The base of the mountain is over 15,000 feet. More than 50% of hikers ascending above 14,000 feet experience symptoms associated with Acute Mountain Sickness, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory issues make the risk of medical complications even higher.

Health risks at high altitude stem from reduced oxygen pressure (hypoxia), leading to acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE/brain swelling), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE/fluid in lungs). Symptoms include severe headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and insomnia.

Risk factors include rapid ascent to high altitude; existing, unmanaged heart conditions; poor physical condition (although physically fit people are not immune); and sleeping at high altitudes. 

If you experience symptoms of severe altitude sickness, immediately descend to a lower altitude and seek medical care. 

Before you go

Enroll your travel plan in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).   Remember to include China and all other countries you will transit on your way to and from China.
Consult your healthcare professional and be prudent when determining if your health will allow you to safely travel at high altitudes for a prolonged period.
Only travel with a reputable, licensed tour group with experience accompanying travelers to Mount Kailash.
Ensure your family and friends are aware of your travel plans and know how to reach you in an emergency.
Keep travel documents including your U.S. passport secure during your trip and protected from the elements. Make copies of your passport—including pages with your Chinese visa and TAR travel permit. Save 1 version digitally and keep a paper copy in a safe place while you travel. 
Bring an adequate supply of any medications that you routinely take for health reasons.

Travel to Tibet Autonomous Region

You must obtain a special permit for tourist travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), in addition to your Chinese visa.
You can get special permits through a travel agent in China. To learn more about entry requirements for the TAR, check with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America.
Note that the visa-free transit policy (240-hour) does not include travel to the TAR.
The U.S. government may not be able to help if you encounter problems in the TAR. China restricts U.S. government employees’ travel to the TAR, even to provide emergency consular assistance to U.S. citizens.

Emergency help

Most travelers can travel safely to Mount Kailash. However, if something goes wrong, U.S. Embassy Beijing may only be able to offer consular services in a virtual capacity, as China restricts U.S. government employees’ travel to the TAR.

The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu can assist with any issues occurring in Nepal.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi can assist with issues occurring in India.

U.S. embassies and consulates can:

Arrange for emergency U.S. passports for U.S. citizens. If you lose your passport or it is stolen, you should immediately report it lost/stolen at the nearest local police station. To obtain an emergency passport, please bring a report from the police station regarding the theft or loss to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing or closest U.S. Consulate General. You may not be able to enter Nepal or India if you lose your passport in China without obtaining an emergency passport. If you are on a group visa, please consult with your travel group.
Provide information on local lawyers, medical care, and procedures in the event of an emergency. 
Inform your family or others who can assist you if you are involved in an accident, are arrested, or die.

U.S embassies and consulates cannot:

Resolve alleged or actual immigration violations. 
Intervene on your behalf if Chinese border officials deny your entry to the TAR.
Become involved in any disputes involving a travel agency, hotel, airline, or any other service provider. 
Manage airline, hotel, or other travel bookings. 
Pay for hotel, legal, medical, travel, or other bills. 
Obtain your release from detention or prison. 
Give legal advice or intervene in court cases or criminal investigations.